Cirrhosis: A Scarring Disease of the Liver
Cirrhosis is a progressive disease, it gradually develops over numerous years, in anticipation of stopping liver function. Muir’s (2015) stated “Cirrhosis is a form of chronic liver disease (CLD) resulting from sustained liver damage from several causes, including viral infection, autoimmune disorders, cholesteric and metabolic disease (e.g., nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases [NAFLD]), or heavy alcohol use” (p. 1822). The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body and is essential for fighting infections and filtering blood. Cirrhosis has become a major public health concern not only in the United States, but all over the world. In fact, in an article titled, Understanding the Complexities of Cirrhosis (2015), Muir states, “In 2010, it was the 12th leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for 1 million deaths” (p. 1822). Patients who suffer from cirrhosis may benefit from early intervention; unfortunately, there are difficulties in the recognition and diagnosis of this progressive disorder.
Causes
A broad range of diseases …show more content…
“In the United States, an estimated 400,000 people have end-stage liver disease, and more than 33,000 die each year from liver disease” (Chang, Leo, Hansen, Sasaki, & Zucker, 2014, p. 32). Common complications of cirrhosis can be related to blood flow. Cirrhosis slows down the flow of blood through the liver which will increase the pressure in the vein that brings blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver. This is referred to portal hypertension. Portal hypertension will cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and legs causing swelling resulting from the livers lack of ability to make enough blood protein, such as albumin. Decreased white blood cells and platelets in the blood can cause the spleen to become enlarged. Other complications may include reoccurring infections, malnutrition, jaundice, bone disease, an increased risk of liver cancer, and liver
Cirrhosis is a progressive disease, it gradually develops over numerous years, in anticipation of stopping liver function. Muir’s (2015) stated “Cirrhosis is a form of chronic liver disease (CLD) resulting from sustained liver damage from several causes, including viral infection, autoimmune disorders, cholesteric and metabolic disease (e.g., nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases [NAFLD]), or heavy alcohol use” (p. 1822). The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body and is essential for fighting infections and filtering blood. Cirrhosis has become a major public health concern not only in the United States, but all over the world. In fact, in an article titled, Understanding the Complexities of Cirrhosis (2015), Muir states, “In 2010, it was the 12th leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for 1 million deaths” (p. 1822). Patients who suffer from cirrhosis may benefit from early intervention; unfortunately, there are difficulties in the recognition and diagnosis of this progressive disorder.
Causes
A broad range of diseases …show more content…
“In the United States, an estimated 400,000 people have end-stage liver disease, and more than 33,000 die each year from liver disease” (Chang, Leo, Hansen, Sasaki, & Zucker, 2014, p. 32). Common complications of cirrhosis can be related to blood flow. Cirrhosis slows down the flow of blood through the liver which will increase the pressure in the vein that brings blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver. This is referred to portal hypertension. Portal hypertension will cause fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and legs causing swelling resulting from the livers lack of ability to make enough blood protein, such as albumin. Decreased white blood cells and platelets in the blood can cause the spleen to become enlarged. Other complications may include reoccurring infections, malnutrition, jaundice, bone disease, an increased risk of liver cancer, and liver